Conclave is over and we have spent our first night in San Jose Costa Rica. No birds seen yet, but last chance for week to access reasonable wifi! So below are a few pics from our week at the Uni of Western Carolina in the Great Smokey Mountains. There was a nice salvia garden near where we played viols and hummers were buzzing regularly…only juvenile ruby-throated but still nice. A little way up the road we saw the male in full sunlight with his throat displayed well. The same place had indigo buntings and mountain bluebirds.

The conclave ended with a grand dinner and then some most enjoyable drop-in playing with old friends.

We are about to go by bus to the mountain eco-lodge three hours away where our expectations are high for some great bird photo opportunities….

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Indigo Bunting

Conclave Final Jam Session

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Mountain Bluebird